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Your Observer | All

Florida Studio Theatre's "Off the Charts" runs through Feb. 9 at FST's Court Cabaret.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2024
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Oct. 10-16

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Hurricane Helene's strong storm surge wiped out the first floor of many beachfront homes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 8, 2024
Longboaters share their Hurricane Helene stories

Residents recount where they were when the hurricane hit and how it impacted their lives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jason and Mindy Brandt catching up with friends at the Rosh Hashanah service at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 8, 2024
Temple Beth Israel celebrates Rosh Hashanah after Hurricane Helene

The temple provided community and normalcy after many Longboaters’ homes were found in disarray from the hurricane.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Olympian Richard Thompson talks to sixth grader Lauren Otterness after he talked to Otterness and her fellow scholars about goal setting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 8, 2024
Track and field Olympian talks goal-setting with Haile Middle sixth graders

Richard Thompson shares his success story with Advanced Scholar Program students.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club East home at 7031 Whittlebury Trail sold for $1.05 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,407 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Whittlebury Trail tops the week's sales at $1.05 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Police investigate suspicious man walking barefoot on the island
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 8, 2024
Police investigate suspicious man walking barefoot on the island

A resident called to report a man walking along Gulf of Mexico Drive barefoot, but the man claimed to have his shoes stolen. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Members of the Nathan Benderson Park Breast Cancer Survivor team pose with their gold medals after winning the 200-meter final in Ravenna, Italy last month.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 8, 2024
Dragon boat teams win gold at world championships

Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch-area rowers thrive on competition and friendships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brian Walton points to the water line left on some of the bird enclosures closer to the water. These are occupied by water-tolerant birds like pelicans and cormorants.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 8, 2024
Hurricane Helene floods Save Our Seabirds, results in one casualty

The nonprofit on Ken Thompson Parkway is working to recover after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge brought up to 4 feet of water throughout the facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of the congregation sing "The People Israel Lives."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Jewish community celebrates hope amid the anniversary of Oct. 7 attacks

Temple Emanu-El hosted Am Yisrael Chai: A Day of Hope, while the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted Be the Light: Memorial Candle Lighting.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Keith Misja, Mike Matheis, Stephen Dickmann and Kaleb Smith of Station 12, prepare a pot of chili.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 7, 2024
Annual chili cook-off helps support local fire departments

The event brought together firefighters from departments across Sarasota County and beyond.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Several beachfront properties on Longboat were severely damaged from Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat's early Helene assessment estimates over $170M in damages

The damage estimate is expected to grow as officials continue to assess Helene damages while Hurricane Milton is on the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Almost all Florida manatees have propeller scars from past collisions with boats. Complying with “Idle Speed No Wake” speed limits for boats helps protect manatees from harm.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Rare manatee sightings in the Braden River

The manatees, pushed into the fresh water habitat by the Helene surge, will be moved back to brackish water.

  • East County
  • News
Barbara Grimes setting up a radio at the comfort station at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat Key community centers set up comfort stations

Churches and community centers barely saw anyone coming to the comfort stations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Drew Lalor, Selah Freedom Executive Director Stacey Efau, and Pamela Lalor say Fairways to Freedom at the Tara Golf and Country Club was a big boost in spreading awareness of the Selah Freedom mission.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Fairways to Freedom takes a swing at sex trafficking awareness

The benefit golf tournament at Tara Golf and Country Club supports Selah Freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Like other businesses on Longboat Key, Ventura's in Whitney Plaza was boarded up on Oct. 7 before Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • October 7, 2024
Longboat Key issues immediate evacuation order for Hurricane Milton

The town issued the evacuation order at 10:30 a.m. Monday as officials are preparing for "life-threatening impacts."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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